This Public Service Message is brought to you by President Snow and The Capitol

     I have to say that when I came across this news today, I was very giddy with excitement. After the success of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, its first part of a two-part sequel has a higher expectation attached to it. This one-minute teaser trailer definitely sent chills through me and it should for every fan of the series.

     President Snow is sitting in a grand white throne, addressing the citizens of the Capitol. His propaganda machine seems to be in full swing as he tries to quell the rebellion that we saw begin in the previous film. Snow speaks smoothly using words like "unity" and "prosperity" to describe the nation of Panem and each districts role in the great machine. Then it took a dark turn as he made a comment about rebellion, making statements such as "But if you resist the system, you starve yourself," and "If you fight against it, it is you who will bleed."

     As the camera slowly pulls back, it is shown that the leader of the Capitol is not alone. Standing beside him is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the kidnapped Hunger Games winner. If you read the book, you know what happened to Peeta after Catching Fire. If you haven't read the book, I won't spoil the twist for you but as you see Peeta staring off into the distance, you can tell that Peeta is not the same boy.

     Well done, Lionsgate. Now I can't wait for this film. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 comes to theaters November 21.

Movie Preview - The Expendables 3

     In 2010, a new generation of audiences were introduced to the past stars of the 1980's and 90's as Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in The Expendables. Two years later, Stallone and his team returned with more stars that have reached cult status in this generation in the action-packed sequel The Expendables 2.

     This summer, the boys are back and ready for action in The Expendables 3.

     This time, Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his Expendables team must face the merciless arms deal Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), the co-founder of the Expendables with Ross. In order to combat this personal threat, Ross must recruit younger pieces to add to his team. From the trailer, this film will go into the history of the Expendables and how they formed. Apparently, Stonebanks and Ross had a falling out that put them on opposite sides. What this falling out is, we'll find them out among the explosions, gunfire, and fistfights.

     Continuing the trend of The Expendables movie trilogy, this film boasts an all-star cast of returning favorites Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It also introduces new heroes to the fight: Kellan Lutz (The Twilight Saga, I know...), MMA figher Ronda Rousey, Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Kelsey Grammar (Frasier), and Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones). Audiences are also re-introduced as Wesley Snipes (Blade) makes his return to Hollywood in his first big film since being released from prison for tax evasion.

     Get ready for the ultimate summer action fix on August 15.

Movie Review - The Fault in our Stars

   

     The Fault in Our Stars. One of the best novels of the past decade. When this was announced to be adapted into a movie, I knew this film would be a wonderful, emotional, and human spectacle to watch. This film certainly didn't disappoint. The novel adaptation is about the miraculous story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), two cancer patients who meet during a support group and fall in love. 

     I loved reading the novel and fell in love with the humanity and truthfulness of the story and how it affected the two main characters so I was hoping that the film would do the novel justice. Director Josh Boone did a great job with the source material. From Hazel Grace's first line at the opening of the film, it's apparent that this film will not be easy to get through, setting the audience up to be knocked down as the movie truly began. As the movie continued, the funny wit and heartfelt emotions kept audiences invested as the love story continued to evolve between Augustus and Hazel. What I truly loved about the movie was the same thing I loved about the novel: the realness of the cancer in the lives of young teenagers. Although both would like to live full, healthy lives, they accept their conditions but doesn't allow it to hinder them. Like the novel, the movie doesn't shy away from the cancer or hide the effect it has on the two lovers.  

     Shailene Woodley brought a stellar performance in her role as the brave, witty, and resilient Hazel Grace Lancaster. In my eyes, this was her official breakout role. Thanks to the success of Divergent earlier this year, Woodley was already shown to have A-list star quality and that was confirmed in Stars. Her performance is memorable, possibly Oscar-worthy but it shows that she could make it to that stage. Pure and authentic, Woodley's performance was exactly how I thought Hazel Grace would be in real-life portrayal. Ansel's performance was just as strong as the loyal and persistent Augustus Waters, displaying the heart that Waters had, despite the effect that cancer had on him. 

      This movie was the best and precious young adult movies that Hollywood has brought to audiences in a long time. Augustus and Hazel Grace is the best love story that people have read or seen in the last decade and this movie proves it. 

     If you have not read the book, do it. If you haven't seen the movie, go see it. 

     Okay. Okay.